Our pets seem to get older in the blink of an eye. Once most pets reach 7 years of age, they are considered seniors. When your dog or cat becomes a senior, it becomes increasingly important to stay on top of their care. This means seeing your veterinarian for more frequent checkups and diagnostics to monitor their condition and screen for potential disease. As your pet continues to age, you will also need to consider their end-of-life care. At Pleasant Valley Veterinary Clinic, our team is always here to support you and your pet. When the time comes to discuss euthanasia, we’ll answer all your questions and go above and beyond to put your mind at ease.
Why Senior Dogs & Cats Need
to See Their Vet More Often
Senior pets experience similar issues that humans face in old age. Along with the usual age-related ailments including vision and hearing loss, senior dogs and cats can also be prone to these issues:
- Weight gain
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Thyroid problems
- Heart, liver, and kidney disease
Our team is more than capable of diagnosing and managing these conditions in senior dogs and cats. Despite being more vulnerable to illness in their golden years, pets can still live healthy, pain-free lives during this time. The key is to detect and treat emerging problems as early as possible to ensure minimal impact on your pet.
We recommend seeing senior dogs and cats every 6 months to monitor their condition and make changes to their treatment regimen as needed (such as dietary adjustments, physical therapy, and medication). Problems can develop quickly, and often, symptoms may be an indication that the disease has already progressed and become harder to treat. Our goal is to prevent that whenever possible!
When to Discuss Dog and Cat Euthanasia with Your Vet
Deciding when it is time for euthanasia is a heart-wrenching decision, influenced by your pet’s age, breed, and health. If your pet is experiencing persistent discomfort or their quality of life has diminished, it may be time to discuss euthanasia with your veterinarian. Our team is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring you’re not alone in this difficult time.
Euthanasia at our clinic is a private and peaceful affair, with our team giving you and your family the time you need to say goodbye to your pet. This ensures their comfort during this time and makes the whole experience less stressful for everyone.
For more information about end-of-life care for your pet and cremation options, give us a call at (724) 941-5484.